Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo)
22 October 2009
Maputo — The Malawian government has publicly admitted that a unit of its police force did indeed invade Mozambican territory in August, and destroyed a police post, equipment and personal belongings of the Mozambican border guard in Caloca, Ngauma district, in the northern province of Niassa.
A source in the Malawian government, cited by Radio Mozambique, said that after the issue was analysed by the Defence and Security Commission set up by the two countries, the Malawian government concluded that their police agents were responsible for all that had happened in Ngauma.
The Malawian authorities insist that this was not sanctioned officially, but was an act of indiscipline on the part of their police. They have promised "severe punishment" against the policemen involved, and to ensure that nothing similar happens in the future.
Malawi also promised to rebuild the destroyed police post, pay compensation for all the damaged equipment, and present a formal apology to the Mozambican government.
The decision to create the commission of inquiry to investigate the Ngauma incident was taken by Mozambican Defence Ministers Filipe Nyussi and his Malawian counterpart, Sidik Mia, in September.
The Malawian incursion took place on 3 August. The pretext for the attack was that the Mozambican police had seized a bicycle from a Malawian national who had allegedly cross the border illegally to purchase maize.
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